Apparatus for pressing and finishing plug-tobacco.



R. ,B. DULA. I

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19. I914.

' Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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R. DUL'A. APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I9. I914.

1,154,914. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 2. I

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH CD" WASHINGTON, D. C.

R. B. DULA.

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

1 APPYLICATION FILED FEB. 19. 1914.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915 10 SHEETSSHEE1 3.

R. B. DULA.

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19. 1914.

1,154,914. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

IUSHEETS-SHEEI 4.

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COLUMBIA PMNOGRAPH 60., WASHINGTON, D. c.

R. B. DULA.

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19. 1914.

1,154,914. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

I0 SHEETSSHEEI 5.

5] mmwboz COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0..wAsHlNur0N, 0.6.

R. B. DULA.

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19. 1914.

1 1 54,9 1 4 Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

I0 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Q F 95 lsabliomeas Maw-AM mi COLUMBIA PLKNOGRAPH CO. WASHINGTON, D. C.

R. B. DULA.

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.-

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19. 1914.

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R'. B. DULA.

APPARATUS FOR PR ESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION'HLED FEB. 19. 1914.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

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R. B. DULA.

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION FILED 8.19.1914.

1 1 54,9 1 4 Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

I0 SHEETSSHEE1 9.

I 5] VI/UQ/I l/IPOZ M BOZ9erZB.DuZa

R. B. DULA.

APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION HLED FEB. 19. I914.

1 1 54,914. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEE'I I0.

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ROBERT B. DULA,-.OF TARRYTOlUN, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS, FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG-TOBACCO.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pattgni-efl S -Pt, 28 11915,

Application filed February 19, 1914. Serial No. 819,729.

plugs under continuous pressure in a form box for a suiiicient time to destroy the resiliency ofthe tobacco, and cause, the plugs to set; then ejecting the plugs from said form boxes onto a conveyor belt to be carried from the machine to packers who receive the plugs and pack them in cases for the market.

The object of the invention is to provide in a single plant, duplicate machine for feeding plugs of tobacco into form boxes one at a time, subjecting each plug to pressure as it enters the box. Upon filling the boxes, they are deliveredto aslowly traveling belt conveyer of any desired length, which when filled with boxes of plugs, is stopped and a pressure mechanism actuated by power subjects the plugs in each box to a continuous pressure "for several hours, or until the plugs are set, whereupon the pressure is released, the conveyer again started and the boxes containing pressed and finished plugs removed from the delivery end of each conveyer, at the same time newly filled boxes are placed on the other end. The finished plugs, after the boxes have been taken from the conveyor and placed below suitable ejecting means, are removed from the boxes and delivered upona belt and thence to packers to be cased for shipmen't. I y

The several mechanisms forming this system are so combined and arranged that the operation of preliminary pressing, maintaining a pressure for a predetermined time, and ejecting the finished plugsis a continuous one insofar as the operation of the system is concerned. The machine for-pressing each plug is mounted in the same frame with the ejecting means and both are operated by the same motor. on a, track at one end of a number of pairs of com yers, one conveyor of each pair traveling from themachineto carry away This machine is movable filled boxes to be subjected to pressure, and the other toward the machine to bring boxes of pressed plugs to the ejecting mechanism from a similar movable machine at the opposite ends of the conveyors. The conveyors are of any suitable length and move slowly below, a pressure mechanism above eachthat descends when the conveyers are filled with boxes of plugs and subjects said plugswto several hours. pressure, at the end of which time the plugs are set and may be released from compression. In the plant illustrated in Figure l, the three pairs of conveyers' are of a length to require an hour or more to tillv with boxes so that from the time con- .tinuous pressure is applied to the boxes on the first pair of conveyers, until those on-the last pair are under pressure, aboutthree hours will elapse, the time requiredfor the plugs to set.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a diagram,- matic plan View of the complete system or plant showing a plurality of oppositely moving conveyors arranged in pairs,-a11d pressing machines at opposite ends of said conveyors mounted on wheels to be moved into operative position with any pair. of said conveyers. 2 is a front elevation of the pin feeding, pressing, and ejecting machine. Fig. 3 is a. vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. l: is a horizontal sectional view onthe line 4, i Fig. Fig. 5 is a similar view'on the line but on a lower plane. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the ejecting mechanism on the line 6 6 Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is aside elevation of a portionof the belt conveying and plug pressure maintaining means. Fig. 8 isa vertical sectionalview on the line 88 of Fig.1? Fig. 9 is a plan vie v of the tobacco plug and separatingmounted to run on tracks B, B respectively,

past opposite ends of a seriesof parallel.

belt conveyers C, D, for carrying away the filled boxes. These belts are arranged in pairs and extend horizontally aconvenlent distance above the fioor, three pairs of conveyers C, D, being shown for illustrative purpose, but this number may be increased or diminished in proportion to their length if it is desired to operate continuously, as by the timethe last pair of conveyersare filled,

the contentsofboxes on the first pair should be sufficiently set for their removal.

The two machines A, A are'placed in poition at the opposite ends of a pair of conveyers, which travel at proper speed, one toard each of said machines and the other away from it. Each of the conveyers at times receives filled boxes fromone of the machines, and after compression takes place ClGllVGlS filledboxes to the discharging mechanism by which -said boxes are emptied.

Each box as emptied is transferred to the filling mechanism and from thence to the outgoing conveyenj This operation is carried on at each end of the pair of conveyers until they arefilled from end to end with boxes whereupon the'niachines are stopped and pressure applied to all the filled boxes on the two conveyers. I The machines A, A are then moved to the next pair of conveyers' and the operation repeated and so on until all the conveyers .are filled. The contents of the boxes on the first pair of conveyers '7 being set by this time, themachines are returned to them and the emptying and filling operation begins again.

The various details of mechanisms and operations for performing .the' different steps will be described, it being understood that the machines A and A are exactly alike and a description of one will serve for both. Likewise the several pairs of belt conveyors and the pressure devices over them are du- "plicate constructions one of the other.

The fra'me-work20 of the machine A,

carries all the box-fillin discharging and transferring mechanism and is mounted on wheels'21'tha't run on rails 22 of track B.

Preferably, an electric motor 23=is mounted on the frame-work and drives all the mechanism carried in said frame. Fastened to the frame-work 20 a suitable distance above the track wheels is a horizontal table 2 lwhich supports the form boxes E during the filling and emptying operation, see Figs.

2 and 3. Above the table 2 L is a platform 25 between which and the table is just space enough for the boxes to pass in upright position to and from an opening 2G in the platform through which plugsto be pressed and finished are fed into the boxes E. Fixed on the platform in front of the opening 26, as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 9 and 10, is a hopper 27 in which a stack of plugs to be pressed are placed. A pusher plate 28 slidable in guides 29 and arranged to pass through the bottom of the hopper at each forward movement en -a es the bottom alug 7 b O 0 a and carries it to the open ng26 in position to be forced therethrough and into the box E thereunder by} a plunger 30. Resilient lingers 31 secured to the hopper 27,-extend on each side of the opening 26 and holdeach plug in position until the plunger descends.

To prevent the plugs adhering under pressure and forming a more or less solid mass,

a sheet metal separating plate I) is placed between each two plugs. These platesare contained in a hopper 32 affixed on the platform 25 at the opposite side of the opening 26 from the hopper 27 and is provided with a sliding feeder 33 of any suitable kind to engage and push the lowest plate in the hopper upon a plug before-the plunger 30,

descends. The pusher 28 and feeder 33 are moved to and from the opening 26 by arms 3d, 35 that depend from rock shafts 36, 37,

Journaled in brackets bolted on the platform 25. Motion is given these shafts by two cams 38, 39, see Figs. 2 and (3,- keyed on a shaft 40 turning in hearings on standards 4-1 forming part of the framework that ex tend above the platform. Bars %2, 43, each held at oneend a ainst one of'said cams b a spring or other means, are connected by their other ends each to an arm 44:, L5 projecting from the shafts 36, 37. To lioldthe bars against their cams, I preferto provide the rock shafts 36 and 37 with arms 36 and 37 to which springs 36 and 37 are at tached. The shaft QOis geared to turn once with each operation of the machine to feed 'a'plug a and separatingplate F) with each slides freely'in a box guide :7 on the lateral SlClQS of which areslides 4:8't'hat movefreely in a vertical direction in guide channels 49 on the innerfaces of standards ll. The boxguide 47 is much longer than required for the plunger stem 46 and contains a spiral spring 50 that surrounds a rod 51 projecting upward from the plunger stem through the top of said guide and fitted withnuts to" adjust the height of the plunger 30 and prevent it dropping from the box-guide. The spring 50 bears'on the plunger stein and'will'yield to prevent the plunger pressing theplugs beyond'a predetermined amount. Pivoted on each side of the box-guide 47 near its lower end is a lever 52, and a lever 53 is in turn pivoted to the outer end of eachlever 52 and to a cross shaft 54 extendin between the standards 41. l The levers 52, 53 form two toggles which are operated by twoc'ams 55 onthe shaft 40 that engage rollers 56 on the pins 57 joining the levers 52, 53. As the cams rotate, the plunger is depressed, pushes a plug a. and separating plate time the box E and compresses the plug. The plunger then returns to act on another plug and plate. The range of movement of the plunger is limited and doesnot extend 'to the bottom of the box IE, means therefore are provided to support the plugs during the descent of the plunger which will now be described.

lVhen a form box E, which is without top and bottom, is in position below the platform 25 and in line with the opening 26, see Fig. 3, it stands directly over a movable platen or false bottom 58 supported on the upper end of a vertical screw threaded stem 59 that passes through'a threaded axial opening in a spiral gear wheel 60 revoluble in suitable bearings on the frame-work 20'. A ratchet wheel 61 is fast with the spiral gear and turns with it, being held by a pawl (32 from backward rotation at certain times. The spiral gear wheel (30 is driven'by an engaging spiral pinion 63 on a horizontal shaft 64: so geared that it will turn in either direction for the purposeof raising and lowering the platen 58. Keyed on the shaft 64. to turn therewith and slide longitudinally thereon is a clutch member 65, see Figs. 2, 4t and 5, having a set of clutch teeth on each end. Revolving freely on the same shaft but held'against longitudinal movement is a gear wheel 66 on one side of the clutch member with clutch teeth on its hub, and a pinion 67 on the other side also provided with clutch teeth. The gear wheel and pinion are driven in'opposite directions so that with whichever one the clutch member is engaged, the shaft 64 will turn correspondingly. The gear wheel 66 is in mesh with a gear wheel 68 of the same diameter loose on a shaft (39, which shaftis revolved through a worm wheel70 thereon driven by a worm 71 on the shaft-of motor 23. ()n the other end of shaft 69 'is a sleeve 72, Fig. 2, turning freely thereon. One end of said sleeve has a gear wheel 73 fixed thereon and a series of clutch teeth 74' on the other end. Keyed'on shaft 69 to turn therewith and slide longitudinally is a clutch coupling 75 that when moved in one direction engages clutch teeth 76 on the hub of gear wheel 68 and rotates said wheel and when slid in the other direction engagesthe clutch teeth 74 and turns the'gear wheel 73. The clutch member "65 is operated at the proper time through a lever 77; a similar lever 78 actuates the clutch member 75. A rod 79 connected to the lever 78 is operated by a cam 80 on a short shaft8l carrying a worm wheel '82 rotated by a worm 83 on the positively and continuously driven shaft'69. During the operation of fillin'gthe boxes E, the clutch member 7 5 is held coupled to gear wheel (38;by-a spring Slthat also holds the rod 79 or a roller on the rod against the cam, 80. turned, and as clutch member '65 is at this time coupled to gearwheel 66, the shaft (it with spiral pinion 63 will revolve and turn the spiral gear (30 thus lowering the threaded stem 59 andplaten 58 of the box 1*), the rate of descent being just suflicient to give each plug fed to the box the same degree of pressure. After the box has received its full complement of plugs, the platen will have entered a recess 85 in the table 24 until its top is flush with said table thus permitting the filled box to be removed and an empty one substituted, after which 7 the platen 58 will be carried quickly to the top of the box by the following means.

The gear wheel 73 drives a large gear wheel 86 on a shaft 87that engages a small idle pinion 88 meshing with a like pinion 89 on shaft 90. A gear wheel 91 on the shaft drives the small pinion 67 on shaft 6%.

As soon as an empty box E is positioned over the platen 5 8, the projection 92 on cam 80 will be in position to push the rod 79 and shift the lever 78 carrying the clutch memher 7 5 into engagement with the teeth 74 on sleeve 7 2 and rotate the gear Wheel 73, that,

through the connections described will impart arapid reverse motion to the spiral gear wheel 60 and'quickly elevate the platen 58 to its full height whereupon the cam elevation passing the rod 79 the parts shifted will be returned by the spring 8% and the platen again commence to move downward. As the shaft 87 rotates, a cam 93 thereon acts on lever 77 to shift it and clutch i nember '65 into engagement with the clutch face on pinlatter and the spiral gear wheel 60 are turned in reverse direction to raise the threaded stem of the platen.

Revolving with the gear wheel 68 and loosely on the shaft 69 is a miter gear wheel 97 that turns a like gear wheel 98 on the lower end of an upwardly inclined shaft 99, the upper end of which has a miter wheel 100 that drives'a similar gear 101 on the shaft 40. By this means power is conveyed to the cams 38, 39 and 55.

The boxes E, are moved into filling position by means hereinafter described, being held in place by a rigid front plate 102. and

a folding rear plate 103 yieldinglv main tained in vertical position by a spring 104. 'Slidable in grooves in the table 2% on two sides of the box filling position and flush with the top of the table are two reciprocating bars"l05,'their rear ends 106 extending The gear wheel 68, 66 will be above the table and each provided with an inwardly projecting spring actuated pawl ,Jeling from the pressing machine A to filled.boxes'therefrom, and the conveyer D moving toward said machinebringing boxes 107. On the under ,face of eachbar at its front end is a rack 108 in mesh each with a pinion 109 on a horizontal shaft 110 carried in bearings on the fraineworl-r, said shaft also having a third pinion 111 that is engaged by teeth-on one side of. a vertical rack bar 112 raised by a cam.113 acting against a roller or stud on said rack barto quicklymove the bars 105 toward the front of the machine into positionvto engage the pawls 107 thereon with lugs e onthe sides of the box E. The rack bar- 112 is drawn downward by a spring 114 to rotate shaft 110 carrying the bars 105 to the rear and pushing the boxes from beneath the opening 26, transferring them to the belt conveyer C; 5

Between the tracks B, B are the horizontal belt conveyers C, D," arranged in pairs, as

clearlj shown in Fig, 1, the conveyer C travremove thereto to be emptied. The belt conveyer C comprises two endlesschains 115, 116, Figs.

.73to 7, passing around sprocket wheels 117,

118-, at opposite ends,1the sprocket'wheels 117 being. mounted on the ends of a shaft 119 Outside one sprocket wheel 117'is spur gearv'heel 120 for driving the conveyer, and a miter gear wheel 121 is fastened on the same shaft outside the other sprocket 1 wheel. Theendless chains 115, 116 of the conveyer D' pass around sprocket wheel's 123, the wheels 122 being fixedon a shaft 12%, in line with shaft 119, on which shaft isfixedga-miter gear 125.

The, two

7 initers 121, 125 interinesh with an idle'miter gear 126, and as arranged, the sprocket =wheels 122 aregiven a reverse rotation to sprockets 117 and move the conveyer D in a direction opposite that of conveyer C. The conveyers are driven by a motor 127 on the shaft of which is a pinion 12 8 driving a gear wheel 129that in turn rotates a broad faced gear wheel 131 mounted to turn freely on a longitudinally extending shaft 132 rotatable V in bearings. 'Onone end of the hub of the gear wheel 131 are a series of clutch ,teeth 133 that engage a clutch member 13 1, fast 7 on the shaft 132, when'moved in one direction, a frictiondisk 135 on the opposite side of the gear wheel 131 engages a friction clutch 136 when the gear wheel is movedin the other direction. The gear wheel 131 is moved longitudinally onshaft 132 by means ofa forked lever 137,engaging by one end said shaft and by the-other end through a link 138 with a hand operated lever 139 provided with a latch of well knownforin by means of which the gear wheel may be locked in position to revolve with the clutch member 131, the friction clutch 1 36, or in an intermediate position wholly disconnected,

- the proper direction.

Fixed on shaft 132 is worm 1410 arranged to drive a worm wheel 11-1 on a cross shaft 112, and a pinion 113 on said shaft turns a large gear 114; on a shaft 115 that carries a pinion 116 through which the gear wheel 120 on the conveyer shaft 119 is given motion and the two conveyers moved slowly in The chainslio, 116 are made of linksof such lengththat preferably two such links equal the width of a'box E. Each alter- "nate link 117 of each chain is wider vertically to form support for the lugs e on the boxes, which are thus carried by said chains from end to end of the conveyor. Each chain link 117 has anupwardly projecting finger 1418 that engages behind the supported lug e and insures the movement of the box. The upper run of each chain is sustained upon the edge of a plate 1419, parallel to the chain, yieldingly' mounted on springssupported on'stiff frame plates 151 t rat extend crosswise below the two conveyers O, D. Between the sustaining plates 14-9 of each eonveyeris a flat runway 152 15% depend equ'alin nuniberto the number of boxes thatcan be maintained on a conveyer and similarly spaced. On the under side of each block is fastened a, pressure plate of a size to snugly venter a box and press upon the plugs therein. Parallel with the bar 153 and overlying the ends of the pressure plates 155 aretwo longitudinal strips '156'held downward on said plates by a number of spiral springs 157 bearing on said strips and against washers 158 on the upper ends of pins 150 attached to the pressure plates and passing freely through openings in the strips 156' and tl rough the springs 157. When the conveyers have been filled with boxes of plugs, the clutch 133, 134: is disconnected to stop the movement of said i conveyers with the boxes immediately under the pressure plates 155. The bars 153 are then lowered, by means described hereinafter, whereupon the pressure plates enter the boxes and the strips 156 bear on the tops thereof. The springs, 157 overcome the springs .150 and press the chains 115, 116 and 7 their sustaining plates 149 downwardly until the bottoms of the boxes rest on the runway 152. Theplates 155 at the same time f enter the boxes and press upon the plugs therein,holding them "against the runway until set. V r 7 a Midway i between the several columns 160 on the top of which,

mounted to turn in bearings 161, is a hori conveyers C, D are Zontal screw threaded shaft 162 on which is secureda sprocket wheel 168 driven by a chain 181 from a sprocket wheel 168 driven by achain 16% from a sprocket wheel 165 fast on one end of a sleeeve 166 on the opposite end of which is the friction clutch 136. A nut 167 is threaded on the. shaft 162 near each column 100 from the under side of each of which nuts a pin projects that en gages the slotted ends, 168 of two bell crank levers 1G9 pivoted each on a bracket 170 projecting horizontally form one side of the column 160. The other arms of the levers l69are connected each, to a toggle 171, said toggles being pivotedat one end on the column and their other ends each to a bar 153.. There are, as shown, two toggles adjacent each column one for each bar 153, and as many columns as the length of the conveyers calls for.

1V hen the friction disk 135 is coupled to the friction clutch 136, the motor 127 through the gear wheels 129, 130 and 131 sprocket wheel v 163, chain 164,. and sprocket wheel 165 turns the threaded shaft 162, whereupon the nuts 167 are moved longitudinally on said shaft, the bell crank levers 1G9 rocked and the toggles 171 straightened, thereby pushing the bars 153 downward and the pressure plates 155 upon the plugs to compress them. After reaching full compression the hand lever 139 is moved to an intermediate position to disconnect the friction clutch and keep the toothed clutch 183, 13% from becoming engaged. The plugs of tobacco remain under this compression for several hours and at the end of the required time a hand lever 172 is operated to couple a clutch 1'73, upon the sliding member of which is. a gear wheel 17% driven by an idle gear 175 from a gear wheel 176 fast on a shaft 177 upon which the broad faced gear wheel 130 is mounted. Because of the idle gear 175 in the train, the sprocket wheels I and chain and screwshaft will be given a reverse rotation, the nuts 107 caused to travel toward the columns. and, through the bell crank. levers and togglesthe bars 153 will be raised and the pressure plates withdrawn from the boxes. The strips 156 will also be lifted from the boxes and the springs 150, relieved of pressure, will again raise the sustaining plates 149, chains 115,116 and the boxes from the runway. I Upon the restoration of the above parts to normal position, the clutch 173 is disconnected and the machines A andA moved into position at the endsof the conveyors C, D. The hand lever 139 isopei'ated to: connect the toothed clutch 133, 134 and cause the conveyers to advance, carrying thefilled boxes from the machine A by conveyer Cto the discharge mechanism of machine A and the boxes filled by the latter machine by conveyer D to machine A to, be discharged.

The boxes E are carried by the fingers 1 18 s i of the conveyor chains 115,116 betweenrear wardly pro ecting elevated ends 178 of two; bars 179 mounted to slide 111 groovesin the table 21 of the machines A, A to and from the delivering conveyor. Spring controlled pawls 180 on the elevated-ends of the bars 17 engage behind the lugs c on each box and slide it forward against a stop plate 181, arresting each box over an opening 182. in the table 21. Each bar 179 has a rack 183 on its under side withwhich is engaged a pinion 18% on a shaft 185. Another pinion 186 is also mounted on the same shaft and with shaft 185 and pinions 18% is rotated by a vertical rack bar 187 raised by a, cam 188 on they shaft 87. After the box is. in position over the opening 182, the plugs therein are pushed out by a plunger 189 through said opening into a temporary, holder 190, pivoted at 191 to the framework. The plunger 189 is secured on the lower end of a stem 19-2 sliding in a guide 193, the upper end of which stein is connected to the free end of a lever 19. 1 pivoted on a bracket 195 and operated to raise and lower said plunger by a bar 196 pivoted on said lever and extending downward to a cam 197 on shaft 87 with which a pin or roller 198 on said bar engages. The plunger israised by the cam 197 and depressed by gravity or by a spring 199.

Above the stop plate 181 is a bar 200. that slides transversely of the bars 179 and above them and has a rearwardly' projecting finger 201 on one end thatextends along the right side of a box when in position to be emptied. Upon the return of plunger 189 after ejectthev plugs, the bar 200 is moved to the left, the finger 201 engaging the box, slides it between the fixed plate 102 and swinging plate 103 beneath the filling opening 26 in the platform 25. A rack 202 on the under side of the bar 200 is engaged by a pinion 203 on a stub shaft. A second pinion 204. fixed to, pinion 208 is rotated by a vertical rack bar 205 connected at its lower end to a lever 200 that is raised by acam 207 on the shaft 87. Gravity or a spring conveniently attached causes the descent of the rack bar. As heretofore stated the plunger 189 pushes the pressed plugs out of the box E into the temporary swingingholder 190. After receiving the plugs, the holder, which is open on its rear side, is given a quick turn of ninety degrees by the contraction of a spring 208connected to the holder and to the framework 20. 'A cam 209 on shaft 87 controls as it rotates the downwardmovement of the holder and returns itto upright position through a bar 210' operated by the cam connected. to an arm 211 on the pivot 191 of the holder. When the holder 190- swings downward it deposits the plugs. on

the slotted conveyer belt 212 with suflicient shock to loosen the separating plates Z2 from the plugs, the plates dropping between the slots of the belt onto an inclined chute 213 thereunder and down the chute onto a belt 21% andfrom the machine. The groups of plugs toothick to pass between the slots are removed by conveyer belt 212m lots ready to be packed in boxes. The separating plates may be perfectly smooth, or provided with characters in relief thereon, indicating a trade-mark, trade name, manufacturer or whatever desired, the characters on the platesbeing impressed in each plug. Spaced transverse ribs may also be made on the plates to form grooves in the plugs indicating cutting points.

' It is understood that the embodiment of my invention described above is only one of the many forms or embodiments the inven tion may take, and I do not wish to be limited in the practice of my invention, nor in the scope of my claims, to the embodiment set forth.

hat I claim is 1. In'an apparatus for pressing plug tobacco, the combination with a plurality of spaced horizontal conveyers, means for an: tomatically filling mold boxes adapted to travel past the receiving ends of said conveyers and to stop iii-line with any one ofthem to place a succession of filled mold boxes thereon, and pressure means above each conveyerfor simultaneously subjecting the'plu'gs in all the mold boxes on said conveyer to sustained compression. I

2. inch apparatus for pressing plug tobacco, the combination with a plurality of spaced horizontal conveyers, means including a device for feeding plugs of tobacco singly to'a, mold box and a plunger for pressing saidl plugs as they enter said box, said'means 'adapted'to" travel past the re ceiving ends of said conveyers and tobe stopped in linewith any one of them to place a succession of filled mold boxes thereon, and pressure means above each conveyer for simultaneously subjecting the plugs in all. the mold boxes on said conveyer to sustained compression; i

3. In a system for pressing plug tobacco, the combination of means for feeding plugs to a form box and pressing each plug as it enters said box, means for transporting filled boxes from the pressing means and supporting them, and pressing means above the tarisporting means for simultaneously subjecting the plugs thereon to[ sustained compress on. 7

4; In a systemfor pressingplug tobacco,

the combination of means for feeding plugs to a form boxand pressing each plug as it enters said box, means for transporting filled boxes from the pressing means and supporting them, pressing means above the transporting means for simultaneously subecting the plugs in all the boxes thereon to sustained compression, and means for ejecting the plugs from each box after compres sion. I

5. In a. system for pressing plug tobacco, the combination of two sets of means each includingmechanism forfeedlng plugs to a form box and pressing each plug asit enters said box, duplicate parallelcarrierstraveling in opposite directions each for transporting filled boxes from one of said means and supporting said boxes, and pressing means above each transporting means for simultaneously subjecting the plugs in all the boxes thereon to sustained compression.

6. Ina system forpressing plug tobacco, the combination of two sets of means each including mechanism for feeding plugs to a 'forni box and pressing eachiplug as it enters said box, duplicate parallel carriers traveling in opposite directions each for transporting filled boxes from one of said means and supporting said boxes, pressing means above each transporting means for simultaneously subjecting the plugs in all the boxes thereon to sustained compression, and means adjacent the delivery end of each transporting means for ejecting the plugs frcmieach box after-compression.

7. In a system forpressing the combination with a plurality of hori- Zontal conveye-rs grouped in pairs, the condirections, carriages movable in line with each end of a pair of conveyers, each carriage carrying a device for feeding plugs to a form box, a plunger for pressing each plug tobacco,

veyers of each group traveling in opposite 7 plug as itenters'said box, and means for transferring the filled boxes singlytothe outgoing conveyer, a pressing mechanism ver each conveyor for simultaneously subjecting the plugs in an the boxes on said conveyers to sustained compression, and an ejecting mechanism on each carriage for pushing the plugs out of theboxes as they are d livered thereto by the incoming conveyer. I I a i 8. In a system'for pressing plug tobacco, the combination with a plurality of horizontal conveyers grouped in pairs, the conveyers of each pair traveling in opposite di-' rections, carria es movablein line with each 9. In a system for pressingplug' tobacco, the combination with a plurality of horizontal conveyors grouped in pairs, the conveyers of each pair traveling in opposite directions, a carriage movable into line with,

each end of a pair of conveyors carrying mechanism for feeding plugs to a form box, means for feeding a sheet metal separating plate upon each plug of tobacco, a plunger for pushing said plugs and plates into the form box and pressing each plug as it enters therein, means for transferring the filled boxes one at a time to the outgoing conveyor, a pressing mechanism over each conveyor for simultaneously subjecting the plugs in all the boxes on said conveyors to sustained compression, an ejecting mechanism oneach carriage for pushing the plugs from the boxes as they are delivered thereto by the incoming conveyor, and means for transferring the emptied boxes to the feeding and pressing device.

10. In a system for pressing plug tobacco, the combination with a plurality of horizontal conveyers grouped in pairs, the convoyers of each pair traveling in opposite directions, a carriage movable in line with each end of a pair of conveyers carrying mechanism for feeding plugs to a form-box, means for feeding a sheet metal separating plate upon each plug of tobacco, a plunger for pushing said plugs and plates into the form box and pressing each plug as item ters therein, means for transferring the filled boxes one at a time to the outgoing conveyer, a pressing mechanism over each conveyer for simultaneously subjecting the plugs in all the boxes on said conveyers to sustained compression, an ejecting mechanism on each carriage for pushing the plugs from the boxes as they are delivered thereto by the incoming conveyor, meansfor separating the plugs and platesattter ejection from the term boxes, and means for transferring the emptied form boxes to the feeding and pressing dcrice p t 11. In combination, a pair of oppositely moving conveyors, means at each end of said conveyors for filling and packing plugs of tobacco into form boxes and placing them successively on theoutgoing conveyor, means above each conveyor for simultaneously subjecting the plugs in all the boxes on said conveyors to sustained compression, and means for removingtheboxesfrom the incoming end of the conveyors and ejecting the pressed and finished plugs therefrom.

19. Incombination, a plurality of independently movable form boxes, means for moving the boxes into position to be filled, means for-feeding plugs of tobacco singly above each box to be filled,'a plunger for pushing each plug into the boxsand subjecting it topressure, a temporary plug support cooperating with the plunger, means for moving the temporary plug support into the box from the side of the box opposite the plunger and for moving the plug downwardly through each mold box at a rate of speed commensurate with the filling of the mold box to insure the same degree of pressure to each plug, means for engaging the filled mold box to remove the same after being filled, and means for guiding the filled box from under the plunger.

13. In a plug pressing machine, in combination, means for feeding plugs of tobacco singly above a mold box, a plunger for pushing each plug into said box. and sul'ijecting it: to pressure, a platen forming a temporary support for the plugs movable through said box, and means actuated by a continuously moving part ofthe machine for moving saidplaten quickly into the box when empty and slowly out of the same as it is filled.

14:. In a plug-pressingmachine, in combination, means for feeding plugs of tobacco singly above a mold box, means for feeding a separating plate upon each plug, a plunger for pushing each plug and plate into said box and subjecting said plug to pressure therein, a platen forming a temporary support for the plugs movable through said box, means actuated by a continuously moving part of the machine for moving said platen quickly into the box when empty and slowly outof the same as it fills, and means actuated by a continuously moving part of the machine for removing a filled box and substituting an empty one.

15. In combination, means for feeding plugs of tobacco singly above a mold box, aplunger for pushing each plug into said box and pressing the same, a platen forming a temporary support ior the plugs. moable through said box, means for moving said platen quickly into the box when emptied and slowly out of the same as it is illed, means for carrying filled boxes from the filling and pressing means, and a pressing mechanism above the carrying means for simultzzneously subjecting a plurality of boxes to sustained compression.

16. In combination, mechanism for feeding plugs of tobacco singly to a mold, box and pressing them therein, a carrier for supporting the filled boxes and transporting them from the filling and pressing mechanism, and a pressing means associated With said carrier for simultaneously applying pressure to the plugs in all the boxes on the carrier and maintaining said pressure until the plugs are set.

17. In combination, mechanism for feeding plugs of tobacco singly to a mold box and pressing them therein, a carrierfor supporting the filled boxes and transporting,

them from the filling and pressing mechanism, said carrier comprising a pair of endated with said carrier. for depressing the' boxes into contact with the runway and simultaneously applying pressure to the plugs in all the boxes on the carrier and maintaining said pressure until the plugs are set.

18. In a tobacco-pressing machine, in

combination, a framework supporting a' table, and a platform over the table between which table and platform a mold box is .placed to be filled, feeding means for delivering plugs of tobacco singly above an opening in said platform leading to the mold box below, a plunger for pushing said plugs into the mold box and pressing them, a platen movable in the mold box to sustain the )lll 'S under aressure means for lowering said platen as the plugs enter the box to maintain equal pressure on each plug, and

finally withdraw the platen from the lower end of the mold box, means for alining an empty mold box over the platen, and means actuated by a continuously moving part of the machine to quickly advance the platen into the upper part of the empty mold box.

19. In a machine for pressing tobacco, in combination, a framework supporting a table, and a platform over said table between which table and platform a mold box is placed to be filled, feeding means for delivering plugs of tobacco singly above an opening into said platform leading to the mold-box below, a plunger for pushing said plugs into the mold box and pressing them as they enter,

a platen movable in the mold box'to sustain the plugs under pressure, means for lowering said platen as the plugs enter the box to maintain equal pressure on each plug, finally withdrawing the platen from the lower end, of the mold box, means for engaging and removing the filled box and substituting an empty one, and means actuated by a continuously moving part of the machine to quickly advance the platen into the upper part of the empty mold box.

20.1n combination, a framework supporting a table, and a platform over said table between which table and platform a mold box is placed'to be filled, feeding means for delivering plugs of tobacco singly above an opening into said paltform leading to the mold-box below, a plunger for pushing said plugs into the mold box and pressing them as they enter, a platen movable in the mold box to sustain the plugs under pressure, means for lowering said platen as the plugsenter the box to maintain equal pressure on each plug, a

slowly moving conveyer upon which filled mold boxes are placed to be taken from the box filling means, and means for transferring the boxes from the filling means to the conveyer.

21. In combination, a framework supporting a table, and a platform over said table between which table and platform a mold box is placed to be filled, feeding means for delivering plugs of tobaccosingly above an opening into said platform leading to the mold-box below, a plunger for pushing said plugs into the mold box and pressing them as they enter, a platen movable in the mold box to sustain the plugs under pressure, means for lowering said platen as the plugs enter the box to maintain equal pressure on each plug, a slowly moving conveyer upon which filled mold boxes are placed to be taken from the box filling means, means for transferring the boxes from the filling means to the con- .veyer, and a pressure mechanism above the conveyor for simultaneously subjecting the plugs in all the boxes to sustained compression. I

22. In a. machine for, pressing tobacco, in combination, a framework supporting a table, and a platform over the table between which table and platform a mold-box is placed to be filled, feeding means for delivering plugs of tobacco singlyabove an opening in said platform leading to the mold box below, a plunger for pushing said plugs into the mold box and pressing them as they enter, a platen movable in the mold box to sustain the plugs under pressure, a threaded stem supporting said platen, a circular nut having spiral peripheral teeth rotatable on said stem between bearings for raising and lowering said platen, a spiral pinion engaging the teeth on said nut adapted to be rotated in either direction, means actuated by a moving part of the machine for rotating said pinion slowly to withdraw the platen slowly while compressing the plugs, and means driven by a con tinuously moving part of the machine to drive the pinion rapidly to advance the platen into the upper part of an empty mold-box. V

, 23. In a machine for pressing tobacco, in combination, a framework supporting a table and a platform over the table between which table and platform a mold-box is placed to be filled, feeding means for delivering plugs of tobacco singly above an opening in said platform leading to the mold box below, a plunger for pushing said plugs into the mold box and pressing them as they enter, a toggle for operating the plunger, yielding means between the plunger and the toggle, a platen movable in the moldbox to sustain the plugs under pressure, means for lowering said platen as the plugs enter the box to maintain equal pressure on each plug, means for guiding and moving emptymoidboxes into position above the platen, and means driven by a part of the machine to move the platen into the upper part of each empty mold-box before filling the same.

In a machine for pressing tobacco, in combination, a framework supporting a table and a platform over the table between which table and platform a mold box is placed to be filled, feeding means for delivering plugs oftobacco singly above an opening in said platform leading to the mold box below, a plunger for pushing said plugs into the mold box andpressing them as they enter, a "slide in which said plunger isyieldingly mounted, resilient means between the plunger and said slide, a toggle connected to said slide for operating thesame, means for operating the toggle, aplaten movable in the mold box to sustain the plugs under pressure, means operated coincidentally with the movement of the plunger for lowering said platen as the plugs enter the box to maintain equal pressure on each plug, means for guiding and moving empty mold-boxes into posltion above the platen, and means driven by a part of the machine to move the platen into the upper part of each empty mold-box before filling the same.

25. In combination, a machine for-filling mold boxes singly with plugs of tobacco and pressing said plugs as they enter said box, a horizontal carrier adjacent said filling and pressing machine, means on said machine for transporting filled boxes to said carrier, and pressing mechanism above said carrier for simultaneously pressing the plugs in all the boxes thereon and maintaining said pressure. I

26. In combination, a traveling machine for filling mold boxes singly with plugs of,

tobacco, and pressing said plugs as they enter said box, a plurality of moving carriers arranged in parallel relation, said machine adapted to be brought in line with an end of anyone of said carriers," means on said machine for transporting the filled boxes one at a time onto the adjacent carrier, and pressing means above each carrier for simultaneously subjecting the plugs in all the boxes thereon to sustained compression.

27. In combination, a machine for filling mold boxes singly with plugs of tobacco and pressing said plugs as they enter said box, a horizontal carrier adjacent said filling and pressing machine comprising a pair of endless chain belts, a yielding plate for supporting the upper run of each belt, resilient means sustaining each plate, and a platform or runway between the plate, means .for transferring filled boxes from said machine to the carrier, where they are supported above the runway by said chain, and a pres sure mechanism above said carrier adapted to depress said boxes into contactwith' the runway and simultaneously subject the plugs in all the boxes to sustained compression.

28. In combination, a machine for filling mold boxessingly with plugs of tobacco and pressing said plugs as they enter said box,

a horizontal carrier adjacent said filling' and pressing machine, means on said ma chine for transferring filled boxes to said:

carrier, and a pressing mechanism above said carrier comprising a horizontal bar, means for raising and lowering the same, and a plurality of blocks depending from the underside of said bar to enter the boxes on said carrier and compress the plugs therein.

to enter the filled boxes on said carrier and compress the plugs therein. 30. In combination, a machine for filling mold boxes singly with plugs of tobacco and pressing said plugs as they enter said box, a horizontal carrier adjacent said filling andpressing machine comprising a pair of endless chain belts, a yielding plate for supporting the upper run of each belt,,resilient means sustaining each plate, and a platform or runway between the plates, means for transferring filled boxes from said machine onto the carrier where they are supported above the runway by said chains,,and a pressure mechanism above the carrier comprising a horizontal bar, means for raising and lowering'said bar, pressure blocks on the bar to enter the boxes and compress the plugs, therein, and means carried by said blocks to force the boxes into contact with the runway.

31. In combination, a machine for filling mold boxes singly with plugs of tobacco and pressing saidplugs as'they enter said box, a horizontal carrier adjacent said filling and pressing machine to which filled boxes are transferred, said carried including a pair of endless chain belts, yielding means for supporting theupper run of each of said belts upon which run the filled boxes are supported, and a runway below the boxes, and a pressure mechanism above the carrier comprising a horizontal bar, a plurality of means simultaneously operated for raising and lowering said bar, yielding means carried by the bar for pressing the boxes into contact with the runway of the carrier, and

pressure blocks on the bar to enter the boxes and subject the plugs therein to sustained compression. V

32. In combination, a pair of machines each containing means for filling mold boxes with plugs of tobacco and pressing each plug as it enters the boxes, and means operating simultaneously with the filling and pressing means for ejecting plugs from boxes after sustained pressure, and a pair of horizontal carriers movable in opposite directions between said. machines for removing boxes from the filling means of each machine and delivering them to the ejecting means of the other.

33. In combination, a pair of machines each containing means for filling mold boxes with plugs of tobacco and pressing each plug as it enters the boxes, and means operating simultaneously with the filling and pressing means for ejecting plugs from boxes after sustained pressure, a pair of horizontal carriers movable in opposite directions between said machines for removing boxes from the filling means of each machine and delivering them to the ejecting means of the other, and pressure means above each carrier for simultaneously subjecting the boxes on both carriers to sustained pressure.

- 34:. In combination, a pair of machines each containing means for feeding plugs of tobacco to mold boxes, other means for feeding separating plates between the plugs, and means for pressing said plugs as they enter the boxes, means operating simultaneously with the filling and pressing means for ejecting plugs and plates from said boxes after sustained pressure, a pair of horizontal carriers movable in opposite directions between sald machines for removlng boxes from the filling means of each machine and delivering them to the ejecting means of the other, and means for subjecting the plugs in all the boxes on said carriers to sustained pressure.

Copies 0': this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. 0.

35. In combination, a pair of machines each containing means for filling mold boxes with plugs of tobacco and pressing each plug as it enters the boxes, and means operating simultaneously with the filling and pressing means for ejecting plugs from boxes after sustained pressure, a pair of horizontal carriers movable in opposite directions between said machines for removing boxes from the filling means of each machine and delivering them to the ejecting means of the other, means for moving each box from the filling means to a carrier,-presser means above the carriers for simultaneously subjecting the plugs in all the boxes thereon to sustain compression, means for moving the boxes singly from the carriers to the ejecting means, and means for transferring the boxes from the ejecting means to the filling and pressing means.

36. In combination, a pair of machines each containing means for filling mold boxes with plugs of tobacco and pressing each plug as it enters the box, and means operating simultaneously with the filling and pressing means for ejecting plugs from boxes after sustained pressure, a pair of horizontal carriers movable in opposite directions between said machines for carrying filled boxes from each machine to the ejecting means of the other, means above the carriers for pressing and holding under compression the plugs in the boxes on the carriers, a swinging holder below each ejecting means into which the pressed and finished plugs are delivered, and a conveyer upon which the holder deposits the plugs. v

v In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT B. DU'LA.

Commissioner of Patents. 

